When life throws you a curveball

Sometimes, life throws you a curveball and suddenly you find yourself in a situation where you can’t pay your bills, or perhaps there isn’t enough food to get you through the end of the month. The path to finding out who can help and what you need to do can be a daunting task.

That’s where the Help Center at Common Ground comes in.

“We help people find help,” said Ron Philips, one of the folks there to help.

The Help Center recently received a grant from the Episcopal Diocese of Wyoming to continue working in the community, helping people by eliminating some of the legwork associated with finding help.

They can help with faxing paperwork, making copies and they have free computer use and internet, too, all in a comfortable atmosphere.

If you don’t know what kind of help may be out there to get you through, they have all the contact numbers and internet sites to help. They know the people to ask to get the job done, help you fill out the necessary paperwork and look for the right agencies to give you a hand up.

Along with the short term issues you may be facing, they also look toward your future success by offering GED courses for free.

They provide all the meterials and books, the internet needed, tutoring and they pay for the tests you need to take as well as free transportation to the testing site. The Help Center is the only place in Hot Springs County where you can get your GED.

Once you’ve completed the course, they have scholarships available and your GED can also qualify you for Hathaway Scholarship monies. And you don’t have to go to college, either, the scholarship can be used for any kind of trade school if you prefer to learn a craft like cooking or mechanics.

The Help Center works very closely with Workforce Development out of Riverton to help you find a job.

They can also help you figure out a budget for your family and other life skills.

The Help Center is provided in conjunction with the Ministerial Association and will soon have the Salvation Army working with them as well.

Their hours are Tues., Wed. and Thurs. from noon until 3 p.m. If you have questions, please feel free to give them a call at 864-3851 or email them at helpcentercg@gmail.com.